Saturday, December 5, 2009

McDowell surges into joint lead

THIRD ROUND LEADERBOARD:
-10 G McDowell (NI), YE Yang (Kor) -9 P Harrington (Ire), L Westwood (Eng) -8 J Furyk (US), I Poulter (Eng)
Selected others:-7 S O'Hair (US), K Perry (US) +2 P Casey (Eng)

Graeme McDowell
McDowell struck an eagle and seven birdies in his round of 66

Northern Ireland's Graeme McDowell capitalised on his late call-up to the Chevron World Challenge by seizing a share of the third-round lead.

McDowell, who only came into the field after Tiger Woods' high-profile withdrawal from his own tournament, shot a six-under par 66.

It leaves him tied with USPGA champion YE Yang on 10 under, after the Korean's one-under third round of 71.

Ireland's Padraig Harrington and England's Lee Westwood are nine under.

Three-time major winner Harrington shot a two-under round of 70 whilst current European number one Westwood carded 69 in his third round to leave the pair a shot ahead of fifth-placed duo, Englishman Ian Poulter and American Jim Furyk.

American duo Sean O'Hair (71) and Kenny Perry (72) made it seven players within three shots of the lead, finishing the day on seven under.

Poulter's round of 71 sees him retain his two-shot deficit on the leaders having led after the first round.

It was a fun day, I've been feeling really good about my game coming into this week and it was nice to continue playing well

Graeme McDowell

Meanwhile, Furyk carded the day's second-best round with a five-under 67, bettered only by McDowell.

McDowell's round contained an eagle, seven birdies, one bogey and one double bogey as the 30-year-old remained the only player in the 18-man field in California to improve on his score in every round.

"It was a funny one. I turned at one under par and was just cruising, nothing really happening and then I birdied 10, 11, 12 yesterday and did the same today," said McDowell.

"Then I hit a really good three-wood to 13 and made the putt for eagle and away we go.

"It was a fun day, I've been feeling really good about my game coming into this week and it was nice to continue playing well."

The field in Thousand Oaks is made up of 18 players, with invitations extended to the defending champion, the winners of golf's four majors and two exemptions selected by the Tiger Woods Foundation.

Although the $5.75m (£3.5m) tournament is not an official PGA Tour event, it features 11 of the world's top 20 players and is carrying ranking points for the first time.

ะพ 9:00 PM

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